Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites are the perfect combo of cheese, jalapenos, and breading, and just the tasty kick your party needs!
Make every game day or get-together more delicious when you serve cheesy Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites! This easy-to-make appetizer is filled with a mix of cheeses, a jalapeno kick, and a crunchy breading that will have everyone crowding the snack table for more.
Perfect Bites
In the world of perfect pairings, cheese and jalapenos win just about every time. Even friends of mine who are afraid of a little spice love these Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites because the heat isn’t overwhelming. It’s just enough to bring tons of flavor along with the gooey, comforting cheese. These bites are a must-have for every game day party we throw, and no matter how much I make, it’s never enough. They disappear so fast!
Fill up a crowd with more of that crave-able jalapeno flavor and make Baked Jalapeno Popper Chicken Sliders and Ultimate Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers!
Other Recipes to Serve with Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites
- Tailgating at home means you can make as many Bloody Mary’s as you want with all your favorite fixings!
- Don’t let all this delicious savory food make you forget the sweet treats! Make up a batch of Chewy Monster Cookies filled with everyone’s favorite cookie ingredients!
Ingredients
Cheese: You will need shredded mozzarella cheese and shredded white cheddar cheese. You can substitute Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or even Swiss cheese if you can’t find white cheddar at the store.
Produce: You will need a couple of jalapenos and some garlic. We like using two jalapenos, but you can start with just one. If you want some more heat, leave the seeds in for a spicy bite!
Coating: The crunchy outside is made with a basic dredge of flour, eggs, milk, and panko bread crumbs. You’ll season the bread crumbs with smoked paprika and salt.
Oil: Ensure you have enough of your favorite frying oil to fry up these rattlesnake bites.
How to Make Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites
STEP ONE: Add the mozzarella, cheddar, jalapenos, and garlic to a mixing bowl, and stir everything together.
STEP TWO: Use your hands to form the mixture into ten balls. Be sure to squeeze tightly so they hold their shape. Freeze the cheese balls for 4 hours.
STEP THREE: Heat some natural oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat until it reaches 350 degrees F. To set up the dredging station – place the flour in one bowl, beat the eggs and milk together in another bowl, and then mix the bread crumbs, paprika, and salt in a third bowl. Coat the cheese balls first in the flour, then the egg wash, and finally in the bread crumbs.
STEP FOUR: Fry the bites in the hot oil for 2 minutes per side until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon or tongs to transfer the bites to a wire rack over a baking sheet or paper towel-lined plate to drain. Serve them immediately with some ranch for dipping.
Tips for Success
- Looking for more of a spicy kick? Substitute some or all of the parmesan cheese for pepper jack or even a ghost or habanero jack!
- When chopping the jalapeno, wear gloves if you are sensitive to the heat, and remember to discard the seeds for a great mild spice level. You can also pick up a jar of mild, already de-seeded jalapenos, dry them thoroughly on a paper towel, and chop them to use in this recipe.
- Store any leftover bites in an airtight container in the fridge for about three days.
What kind of dipping sauces goes well with Rattlesnake Bites?
There are a few absolute favorites that people love to serve with their homemade bites, the most common being Ranch Dip or Jalapeno Ranch Dressing. Ranch dip is a tried and true staple that none of us can get enough of, and we love to dip everything in! This homemade recipe will make you a believer that homemade is best. A great Cajun sauce made with horseradish is served at Texas Roadhouse and there are many recipes available for you to make your own. Some folks like a seasoned sour cream or a creamy remoulade. Of course, these bites are also really delicious without any sauce and may disappear before you even get the sauce out of the fridge!
Is there Rattlesnake in Texas Roadhouses’ Rattlesnake Bites?
You may find some rattler’s out in the Southwest, but you won’t find any in your Rattlesnake Bites! This tasty appetizer has always been snake-free but the name reflects the little bite of spice you get from the jalapenos. If you make your bites at home with spicier cheese, you might feel that bite a little longer!
More Great Game Day Snacks
- Buffalo Chicken Dip in a Crockpot
- Pepperoni Pizza Puffs
- Crockpot Chicken Wings Recipe
- Air Fryer Chick-Fil-A Chicken Nuggets
- Bacon Jalapeno Deviled Eggs
*This post was originally posted on 01/28/2013.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 cup white cheddar cheese shredded (see note)
- 2 jalapenos seeded and minced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 cups panko bread crumbs
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Vegetable oil or other neutral oil, for frying
- Ranch dressing for serving
Instructions
- In a large bowl, stir together the shredded mozzarella, cheddar, jalapenos, and garlic until evenly combined.
- Form the cheese mixture into 10 balls by using your hands to squeeze the mixture together as tightly as possible. Place the balls on a baking sheet and freeze for 4 hours. (Do not skip the freezing step.)
- Pour the oil into a medium saucepan until it comes 1 inch up the sides. Place over medium-high heat until the oil reaches 350 degrees F. (You will need to fry in batches.)
- To prepare the breading station, place the flour in one bowl, whisk the eggs and milk together in another bowl, and then stir together the panko, smoked paprika, and salt in a third bowl.
- Roll each of the frozen cheese balls first in the flour, then in the egg wash, and finally in the bread crumbs.
- Fry the bites for 2 minutes on each side, or until they have a golden brown on the outside and soft melty cheese on the inside. Carefully remove with tongs or a slotted spoon and allow to drain on a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate.
- Serve immediately with some ranch dressing for dipping.
Shari Garcia says
Ok, I’m confused, people keep saying that they’re baked, but the recipe says to fry them.
Can these be made in an air fryer?
Sarah E says
Those look incredible. I love jalapenos and I love that these are ones you bake and not fry! So much less mess 🙂
Stopping in from MTM – pinned to share.
Stacey says
Thank you Sarah! They are really yummy and I love that they are baked too! Let us know if you try them!
Lynaea says
I do love jalepeno and cream cheese togeher. Mmmmmmm. Thanks for this great idea! Lynaea @ EverydayBloom.com
Aubrey says
Thanks Lynaea! I’ve been eating A LOT more jalapenos this year than every before and cheese is a big time fav.
brian says
these look absolutely amazing, if you are looking for a great beer to pair them with go to my blog at thebestbeersever.wordpress.com
Vanessa says
Yum! I love anything with Jalapenos. When I was pregnant with my son (who is now 6) that was all I craved and to this day I still love them. I will definitely be making these. They look really good.
Stacey says
Thank you Vanessa! They are delicious! I love jalapenos too and find myself adding them to more and more recipes. Enjoy and let us know what you think!
Erin @ Wholly Delicious Dishes says
Mmm…these look so good! Love that theses are baked.
Stacey says
Thank you Erin! They are really good! Give them a try and let us know what you think!